Bombardier Learjet 60XR sets speed record

By: Christopher Cole

Posted: 10/3/06

Bombardier Learjet 60 sets a world speed record in Cape Town, South Africa. On Sept. 22, the Bombardier Learjet 60 set a world speed record in two hours, 59 minutes with its round trip from Cape Town to Johannesburg and back for the Africa Aerospace and Defence show.

Terry Redman, chief pilot and director of The Aviation Co., the aircraft's operator commented in a Bombardier press release, "The aircraft performed superbly as expected."

After taking off from Cape Town around 10 a.m. local time, Redman explained that they climbed to 37,000 feet and made it to their first leg, Johannesburg, in one hour and 24 minutes. "The aircraft's performance was put to the test against the wind on the return leg to Cape Town, arriving only one hour and 35 minutes later," says Redman, "The aircraft handled beautifully throughout the flight and the roundtrip time easily establishes the benchmark speed standard for the trip."

The Bombardier Learjet 60 is a mid-size jet that offers a range of comfort, performance, and technology. The jet can seat up to nine passengers and a crew of two. Two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW305A turbofans provide the jet with a takeoff thrust of 4,600 pounds. The Learjet 60 also comes with an all-digital Rockwell Collins LCD EFIS, and many other special options.

Frank Eckhart was in the plane to validate the speed record by using two GPS devices that were installed specifically for this flight. Eckhart is an official for the National Aeronautical Association (NAA). The NAA is the oldest national aviation organization in the United States. A non-profit association, the NAA is dedicated to the advancement of the art, sport and science of aviation in the United States, and is the official record-keep for U.S. aviation.

The NAA will be submitting the record to the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) in Paris for international recognition.